Karri said it before I could, but I agree. Also tell Craig I sent you!

More and more clients are wanting to get set up to create their own websites, self-publish, create and upload audio and video files, share photos and information—and if they don’t know about these things already, they are looking for consultants who can introduce them to these things, set them up for them, teach them how to use them, and keep them working properly.

So I’m trying to find a VA training program that helps VAs learn about these things. Have you found one? Or has anyone else?

http://certifiedvp.com/portal/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Certainly, there are those who seek the assistance of coaches for just about any profession, a VA who does the same with some who is specific to their industry is no different.

The hard part however, is knowing which program/coach/book to choose. For many small business owners, funds are limited when it comes to these things. While I do think there are quality programs, coaches and books out there, I also think that there are people out there who are putting out only mediocre content and assistance which preys on those who are new to industry. And I’ve seen several which charge very high prices while trying to convince the VA that these are must have skills and you would really be missing out if you pass on that opportunity.

My advice is to do your research on any training program or coaching program before signing up to make sure you are getting quality and not just quantity. Check with other VAs and find what they know before signing up for anything.

Kimberly
http://www.jkvirtualoffice.com

A lot of people think of “training” as something very formal (and expensive!), but it can also be just as empowering (and profitable) to attend conferences, seminars, and even individual classes at your local community college.

So, a couple more options to throw in the pot here:

VAnetworking.com offers free weekly eSeminars to all members (free or VAinsiders). The seminars are led by various experts from the fields of marketing, coaching, virtual assistance among others.

Tawnya also created a “kit” that guides the aspiring VA through all the steps necessary to set up a full fledged virtual assistance business (business planning, contracts, marketing, etc). It’s call the Virtual Business Startup System (VBSS).

Lifelong learning is critical to the success of any entrepreneur so it’s nice to see so many options available to VAs wanting to charge up their skills.

Karri
http://vanetworking.com/vainsider

Maybe my experience will answer your “why train” question. Back in 2000, I was an office manager with close to 20 years of administrative experience. I wanted to work for myself, but I couldn’t figure out how to go about it (back then, clerical personnel were expected to be chained to their desk). While working for an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and encountering the Internet for the first time, I ran across a website (AssistU) touting virtual assistant (VA) training. Not knowing what a VA was, I kept reading. As I read, I got more and more excited because what I was reading said that I could continue doing what I knew how to do (administrative work) and be my own boss and work from home (instead of fighting traffic every day). I enrolled in the AssistU program in 2001 and graduated in 2002. The program wasn’t cheap, but I paid for this program because I knew I could do the administrative work (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.), but I had only a vague idea of how to start and operate a business, and I knew nothing about marketing.

Four years later, I decided to enroll in the VA Classroom’s Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant program. I decided to do this because I knew next to nothing about Internet marketing, and I wanted to know more so I could market my VA business. Being able to offer Internet marketing to clients was not why I went for this certification, although, now that I know this stuff, I will offer it to clients .

In my four years’ experience, I’ve never had anyone ask me if I’ve been trained as a VA, if I have any certifications, etc. I don’t think that formal education should be the only factor considered when choosing a VA. Lack of formal education doesn’t make the work I do any less valuable. My experience and skills are what a client wants and pays for, and it is how I bring value to my clients’ life and business.

Although I’m not big on formal training, I won’t discard the possibility in my future. If something comes along that I think will be good for me or my business or it’s just something I’m curious about, I will enroll in formal training again. One of the great things about being a Virtual Assistant is that I decide what I want to know, when I want to learn it, and how I want to learn it.

=>Donna Caissie, Owner & Virtual HR Assistant
ExtraOrdinary Assistance
http://www.extra-assist.com
cio@extra-assist.com